Note 1: Written for Rentfic Challenge 8Write a story involving or centered around a metaphor. You may not specify what the metaphoric object represents.
Note 2: I work with a fifth-grader whose class is doing a thematic unit on the middle ages. I guess the knights influenced me more than I thought. Hopefully the metaphors are clear. Mark's POV.
Warnings: Implied character deaths.
Disclaimer: RENT does not belong to me.

The tattoo artist stands above me, needle poised to give life to the dragon that is outlined on my skin. He raised an eyebrow to ask if I am ready. I nod my reply. We both do not speak. There is a sense of solemnity and reverence for what I am about to do.

It comes from one of my childhood passions for tales of knights and quests and adventures of old. In my dreams, I still sometimes imagine that I am a gallant knight, off to slay dragons on behalf of some fair maiden. However, the years in the East Village have taught me that not all dragons can be slain. Some lie dormant until they attack and slay you instead.

This is not my first time conducting this ritual. I have witnessed many battles which are depicted as dragons on my skin. The first one is a fiery red one, representing April. Its fangs are long and claws sharp. Its wings are extended. It looks fierce, because to her, this dragon was an insurmountable foe. April could not fight the dragon. It took her without a battle.

Angel's dragon does not have the claws and fangs of April's. Angel learned to live with this dragon, and it was part of her life until the end. The dragon is not nearly as fearsome. Its features are delicate and it wears an almost apologetic look on its face. It is a creature that grew too quickly and could not be contained. Eventually, it just became too much for Angel.

Mimi's dragon is next. Its yellow wings are extended from trying to carry her off and its mouth is open from feeding on Mimi's addictions. It's scary but has broken teeth and injuries to its wings from the many skirmishes Mimi had with it. Mimi fought it, but it eventually grew to large for her and carried her away one day.

Now the tattoo artist is inking Collins' green dragon onto my skin. This dragon is fierce but not terrifying. Its sharp teeth have been broken. Its large wings are torn to shreds. The smooth scales are ridden with scars from battle. Collins fought the beast every from the first time he was aware of it. As the face becomes more vibrant, I admire the clever expression. Collins' dragon needed the guise of lymphoma before it was able to defeat him.

I do not break my silence until I have left the artist's chair and a bandage covers the new green dragon. I listen to the instructions on how to care for my tattoo and pay the artist his well-deserved fee. Roger meets me outside of the shop. It is then that I realize that one day, I may need to add a fifth dragon.

I say a silent prayer that I'll be adding a sword instead.